Bundaberg: Desperate search for missing three-year-old boy ends in tragedy

Headshot of Peta Rasdien
Peta Rasdien
The Nightly
The body of a missing three-year-old boy has been found hours after he went missing from his Queensland home.
The body of a missing three-year-old boy has been found hours after he went missing from his Queensland home. Credit: Supplied

A desperate search for a missing three-year-old has ended in tragedy with the little one’s body discovered just metres from where he was last seen.

The boy was reported missing from his home in Thabeban, in Bundaberg about 3.30pm on Tuesday, with police appealing for public help to find him.

Neighbours joined police and State Emergency Services volunteers to scour the surrounding areas in the hopes of finding him, but at 9.25pm their worst fears were confirmed.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

He was found unresponsive, reportedly in a car, close to where he was last seen at the Central Avenue property.

The three-year-old was declared deceased at the scene.

The boy’s mother returned home to be told the devastating news, with friends and family comforted her as she broke down, the Courier Mail reports.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious and are preparing a report for the coroner.

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 07-01-2026

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 7 January 20267 January 2026

Albanese and Minns tipped to announce joint Bondi royal commission as PM attends final funeral of terror attack’s victims.